Visualization of particles arrangement during filling stage of polyamide 6-metal insert injection molding

An isotactic polypropylene filled with talc and mica particles was used for visualization of molten polymer flow lines during filling of mold cavity with metal insert. The talc particles orientation in polypropylene matrix was followed by scanning electron microscopy. For the quantification of platelet particles orientation in molten polymer flow localized near metal wall, the Herman's function was applied. An existence of regions with well oriented, randomly organized talc particles depending on the shape and cross-section of the channels, was found and reported. The domain with the most disorganized platelet particles was detected in the region where polymer streamed around the sharp corner of the metal insert. Such a kind of disarranged region could be the weakest part of the whole injection molded polymeric element. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E271-E278, 2019. (c) 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers